Pope Leo: ‘I'll unite Church and not rule like an autocrat'

Yahoo

18-05-2025

Pope Leo XIV pledged to unite the Catholic Church and not rule 'like an autocrat' in his inauguration mass in front of world leaders and royals on Sunday.
In his short homily, the new Pope referred to unity seven times and called for a 'reconciled world,' where peace reigns, and a united Church that welcomes everyone, values diversity and rejects hatred.
'Brothers and sisters, I would like that our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world,' he said.
Referring to St. Peter, the apostle who is considered the first pope, Leo said: 'Peter must shepherd the flock without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him. On the contrary, he is called to serve the faith of his brothers and sisters, and to walk alongside them.'
The new papacy comes after years of turbulence under Pope Francis, an outspoken progressive who battled with traditionalists. It also comes as the Trump administration in the US has shaken up the world order.
Pope Leo also used his homily to call for peace in Ukraine, as well as an end to other conflicts.
'It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power. Instead, it is always and only a question of loving, as Jesus did,' he said.
In a sign of a pro-Ukraine position, he referred to the war-torn country as having been 'martyred'. He was due to have a private meeting later on Sunday with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, who was among the leaders in the crowd.
Mr Zelensky was earlier seen shaking hands with JD Vance, the US Vice-President. The two men clashed bitterly in the Oval Office the last time they met earlier this year.
The Chicago-born Pope, who has dual Peruvian citizenship after spending many years as a missionary in the South American country, also hinted at concern for the climate.
He said: 'In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalises the poorest.'
The enthusiastic crowd, estimated at 250,000 people, chanted 'Papa Leone' and cheered as the newly elected pontiff was driven through the sunny square in his open Popemobile, heavily guarded by security officers.
The Pope also fought back tears as he was handed the ring that formally marks the beginning of his papacy. He appeared to choke up as Cardinal Luigi Tagle slipped the Fisherman's Ring on to his finger.
After receiving the ring, he patted his heart in a show of gratitude for the audience's applause.
More than 200 foreign delegations were in attendance at the historic event, with the US represented by Mr Vance and by Mario Rubio, the Secretary of State. Both men are Catholic but clashed publicly with the former pope.
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